Jakarta Travel Forum

How do I go to Bali from Jakarta? I don't want to take the plane. Is it possible to go there by land or by sea? If so, how much does it cost? How long does it take? Where do I take the bus/ship?
Thanks!

Hi,

Here follows the answer I recently gave to a similar question (Bali to Yogya):
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This is the website of the Indonesian Railways: http://www.infoka.kereta-api.com.

The site is often slow and only partly in English.

I found here for you:

Train 'Mutiara Timur' from Banyuwangi to Surabaya (Gubeng Station) twice daily, departure 09:00 and 22:20, arrival 15:24 and 4:53 respectively. Price Rp 40,000 business class, Rp 55,000 executive class.

Train 'Sancaka' from Surabaya (Gubeng Station) to Yogyakarta also twice daily, departure 07:10 and 15:00, arrival 12:10 and 20:04 respectively. Could not find a price because the site was too slow.

You still have to take a bus from Denpasar to Banyuwangi (including ferry). Therefore I think you might as well take a bus from Denpasar to Surabaya, and take the train from there. As you see the voyage takes a lot of time. Flying from Denpasar to Yogya would save time. You also have to remember that trains often run behind schedule, especially in the rainy season.
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You may be able to find for yourself the schedules for Jakarta (Gambir station) to Surabaya and Surabaya to Banyuwangi. If your only aim is to get to Bali, I would strongly recommend flying to Denpasar. Of course, if you have time and want to experience the journey, the train is an option. A business or executive seat is roomy enough, and during daytime you can see a lot. I am sure there are buses too, but I do not know specifics,and they will be less comfy than the train.

Regards,
Theo

It's so easy going to Bali. Just go to bus station and find a bus going to Bali. There are so many companies serving this rute. Or you can find so many local travels providing a transport service from Jakarta to many cities in Java. This is local service and no foreigners usually. It goes with a small car (9 seaters) and drives from Jakarta in the afternoon. You can find a destination to Yogyakarta which is around 10 hours drive. Arriving in Yogyakarta early morning and ask the driver to drop you at the bus station. There you can find many busses going to Bali. They leave in the afternoon around 2 pm so that you can have a rest for around 8 hours. I suggest you to find a small hotel before continuing your long trip to Bali. You can event stay for couple days in Yogyakarta since there are many things to see and to do in Yogyakarta than in Jakarta. This is also better for you..not too tired. Cos you know it takes 15 hours to go to Bali by bus.
My idea for you is try to feel different local transport.
Go to Jakarta train station (GAMBIR train station) and find a train to Yogyakarta. There is a night train (costs Rp.180.000, first class with AC and you really sleep well, don't use economic or businees class since you've long trip and too many people in this class. First class is always private, sellers are not allowed to enter the train) from Jakarta then you'll arrive in Yogyakarta early morning. Around Yogyakarta train station (TUGU train station) there are so many hotels ranges from 40.000 - 300.000. Stay in Yogyakarta for 2 or 3 days to discover the heart of Javanese culture.
On the last day you go to Yogyakarta bus station (TERMINAL GIWANGAN) to buy a bus ticket from Yogyakarta to Bali costs around Rp.200.000,- Leaving at 2 pm and you'll be in Bali early morning in Bali's bus station (UBUNG) the ticket includes snack and dinner.
Need more infos bout tour in Java-Bali? just let me know when you're in Yogya. I'm living here. Have a nice trip